Brrr...do you feel a draft?

I'm just going to straight plagiarize this from Cindy, since she can explain this stuff better than I ever could:

here's the latest....

we brought charlie home yesterday from isu hospital.  
his surgery went went well. they completely removed 
the meniscus and did a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. 
in layman's terms, they basically cut the top of his 
shin bone in half, then move it upward to meet the 
thigh bone (in order to stop the bones from rubbing since
the acl is torn), then use a bone plate and screws to 
hold the bone in place. can you say ouch?  the amazing 
thing is they allow dogs to actually walk on that
leg!!  that means he's walking on a broken bone, 
which is why his activity level is so restricted.  
the vet said that dogs are powerhouse healers, and 
that's why they allow them to weightbear on the leg 
if they want to, and why this surgery is not done 
in people.

charlie is on strict cage rest for 4 weeks, then 
5 minute leash walks the next 4 weeks after that.  
we go to the vet here in des moines for staple 
removal in 7-10 days then, we go back to isu for 
xrays in 6-8 weeks, then they will adjust his 
activity level.  basically, he can't run, jump, 
or be off the short leash for about 12 weeks.  
it will be a quiet 3 months around here!

to add insult to injury, his leg is shaved 
from his hip all the way down to his foot.  
that bare little chicken leg sure gets cold 
outside!  we have to put a towel under his 
belly like a sling to help him walk outside 
to go to the bathroom, but then still keep 
the leash tight so he doesn't try to walk too 
far.  it's kind of a circus.  i can tell 
charlie is starting to feel better, since he 
is starting to get more stubborn on the leash.  
it will be a long 12 weeks for mr independent!!

i sent a few pics of the chicken leg for your 
viewing pleasure.  i hope his hair grows back fast 
since january in iowa is not the warmest month 
outdoors!  i will keep everyone updated!  :-)cm